"It might seem to reflect upon your Majesty's personal courage: about which, I need hardly say, I myself have no doubt whatever."
"I see," said the King. His voice sounded the depression which had again begun to overwhelm him.
"I have no wish to press your Majesty," the Premier went on; "but at the present moment we are still under orders that to-morrow the definite and irrevocable announcement is to be made public."
Again he paused; and the King did not answer him.
"I wish to ask, therefore, whether it is your Majesty's wish that the announcement of the abdication shall be postponed?"
"Yes," said the King, and his words came slow, "I suppose that it must be—as you say—postponed."
"Does your Majesty wish to suggest any later date?"
The King thought for a while before answering.
"Is there any reason that I should?" But though he thus spoke to temporize over the position in which he now found himself, he knew that his opportunity was gone never to recur.
"Merely for our own guidance," explained the Prime Minister. "There is to be a special Cabinet meeting to-night."